Trump’s strategy on Iran may pay off as deal appears imminent Through far-sighted diplomacy and a durable new regional architecture, Trump has cornered Iran between alignment and atrophy — and a deal may now be imminent. Iran
Analysis Netanyahu’s Gaza double game: Back Trump, reassure Israel’s right Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to both give the impression that Israel retains total freedom of action in Gaza while allowing the Board of Peace to move ahead with President Donald Trump’s peace plan. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Cargo ship attack near Hormuz clouds US-Iran diplomacy Lebanon, Israel begin 7th round of talks in Rome; Turkey calls on Russia, Ukraine to ensure Black Sea safety after drone attack; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Another US-Iran truce, same Hormuz standoff: What comes next Since February, two major diplomatic efforts have produced temporary pauses in fighting, but neither has translated into a lasting agreement. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Lacking leverage over Trump, Israel stays quiet on US-Iran talks By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran denies negotiations with US after Trump calls off strikes By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
What’s behind Netanyahu’s absence from UNESCO conference? The announcement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting the invitation to a UNESCO conference sends a clear message: Israel will indeed quit the agency by the end of 2018. Israel
Palestinians try to move peace process forward without Trump Palestinians look to the United Nations to move peace process forward, bypassing the Donald Trump administration. Palestine
Intel: Congress wants to sanction Iran’s allies in Iraq. Here’s why the State Department thinks it’s a bad idea. Iraq
Manbij government denies Turkish patrol as Ankara pushes for access The local council of Manbij has denied Ankara's claim that Turkish forces will enter the city and conduct joint patrols with US forces, saying Turkey is looking for an excuse to keep a presence there. Syria
Egypt’s stock market faces fluctuations over manipulation case A move to charge prominent investors, including sons of former President Hosni Mubarak, with stock market violations, has rattled the Egyptian Exchange, which was already on edge due to US trade policies and rising interest rates. Egypt
Why Trump’s UN speech should worry Netanyahu For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump is the be-all and end-all of Israel’s security. Palestine
Rouhani says US, not Iran isolated at UN Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested it was the United States, not Iran that was isolated at the UN over President Donald Trump’s decision to leave the Iran nuclear deal. United States
US stands alone on Iran at Security Council President Donald Trump threatened "severe consequences" for anyone resisting US sanctions. United States
Is Erdogan doing U-turn on jailed US pastor? Andrew Brunson’s continued detention in Turkey risks deepening the breach with the US, with unforeseen consequences for Western security amid continued conflict in Syria and rising tensions with Iran. Turkey
What are prospects of limited engagement between Iran, US in Afghanistan? While tensions between Iran and the United States are escalating, their shared interest in Afghanistan’s stability could promote compartmentalized cooperation between the two sides. United States
Will US sanctions succeed in isolating Iraqi Shiite factions? As the United States intensifies its activities against Iran in the region, it has also increased pressure on Iraqi factions backed by Iran. Yet the influence that these factions have in Iraq limits the effects of such pressures. Iraq